Along Came a Spider

By: James Patterson

Narrated by: Taye Diggs

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Discover the classic thriller that launched the number-one detective series of the past 25 years, now one of PBS's "100 Great American Reads".

Alex Cross is a homicide detective with a PhD in psychology. He works and lives in the ghettos of D. C. and looks like Muhammad Ali in his prime. He's a tough guy from a tough part of town who wears Harris Tweed jackets and likes to relax by banging out Gershwin tunes on his baby grand piano. But he also has two adorable kids of his own, and they are his own special vulnerabilities.

Jezzie Flanagan is the first woman ever to hold the highly sensitive job as supervisor of the Secret Service in Washington. Blond, mysterious, and seductive, she's got an outer shell that's as tough as it is beautiful. She rides her black BMW motorcycle at speeds of no less than 100 mph. What is she running from? What is her secret?

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair - at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji, who wants to commit the "crime of the century," is playing at the top of his game. Soneji has outsmarted the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police. Who will be his next victim?

Gary Soneji is every parent's worst nightmare. He has become Alex Cross's nightmare. And now, listener, he's about to become yours.

©1993, 2018 James Patterson (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Patterson's storytelling talent is in top form in this grisly escapist yarn." (Library Journal)

"Brilliantly terrifying! So exciting that I had to stay up all night to finish it! Packed with white-knuckle twists." (Daily Mail)

"An incredibly suspenseful read with a one-of-a-kind villain who is as terrifying as he is intriguing." (Clive Cussler)

Boring Reader For a Great Story

The story itself is a great introduction to Alex Cross and the series. Unfortunately, the reader is boring.

A single voice (no real variation for characters), and an arbitrary cadence in many places. Kinda sounds like I expect I do when I read to others -- competent, but not at all professional. I ain't no actor... and unfortunately neither is the Taye Diggs. This could have been much more engaging with a better reader.

A Classic That Aged Well

It's hard to believe "Along Came a Spider" is not far off of 30 years old. But it ages like a fine wine. Yes the references are dated, and some plot points obsolete, but it's still a great listen. And the femme fatale is very Basic Instinct, but that only provides a bit of nostalgia for the early 90's. This is the start of Alex Cross after all. How nice that the audiobook was updated with Taye Diggs as the narrator. I've seen a lot of varying takes on his narration, some good, some not so good, but all in all he's a very balanced narrator. When one thinks of Alex Cross you see Morgan Freeman, but Diggs has a very mellow voice. He never gets excited, which is refreshing. It's steady and even. All in all, this is a most excellent listen.

Well Produced

This is book is really good as an audio production, just as were the printed copy, and even the film. I really liked Taye Diggs' narration...at first. About halfway through the book, it seemed as if he were simply reading it. But, it could have just been me, and it didn't stop me from finishing it.

Excellent storyline

loved this, definitely didn't end as I thought hood surprise, moving along to book 2

Great book 👍🏽

Got hooked almost immediately. Very vivid and relatable. Loved the performance. Nicely done. Already got another one of his books to listen to.

Expected more from Taye Diggs

When I saw that Taye Diggs was narrating this book, I was excited. Unfortunately, he barely uses his acting skills so it just sounds like a mediocre average person reading a book. Thanks fully the story is good which let me ignore Taye’s boring voice.

Great Story Line

This is an amazing story but the narrator is terrible. it is difficult to know who is speaking because he doesn't change his tone or voice in anyway. I hope James Patterson has better narrators for his other books because I love his books.

it was fine

I know the characters and many of the books, but I had not read the first. it engaged from the beginning. I like Taye Diggs and his career, but the reading was not very good. No offense but it sounded as if he had just learned to read and did not have the rhythm and inflections that would come with experience. There were some painfull chapters, but also times where it was just fine. I read the reviews prior, but I really wanted to hear the book. Lastly, I love the author and many idiosyncrasies of the 'black' experiences are spot on, but I have never ever heard black men call each other 'sugar'. My southern experience is from AL and TN so perhaps that is a NC thing. Great book.

Along Came a Spider

I loved it. Watched the movie each time it shows on TV & Cable. Love

Great Thriller. Boring Narration.

Story was fantastic. It’s a classic. Still holds up. Narrator wasn’t dynamic when it came to portraying multiple characters. Merely monotone.